Principal Software Engineer (ZDX) - job 1 of 2

As a Principal Software Engineer at Zscaler, you will be responsible for hands-on design and development of the Zscaler ZDX Client, particularly for Mac and iOS platforms. Your role includes providing technical leadership to the team, overseeing the planning and architecture of high-volume software applications, and collaborating with other teams to develop scalable and secure solutions. You will also be tasked with implementing policies to standardize development and continuously monitoring the roadmap for performance improvements.

To qualify as a Principal Software Engineer at Zscaler, you should have a minimum of 8 years of software development experience with a strong expertise in C or C++. Experience in client-side development, particularly on Mac and iOS, as well as a solid understanding of networking protocols such as TCP/IP and VPNs is essential. Familiarity with CI/CD methodologies and strong computer science fundamentals is also critical to succeed in this role.

The Principal Software Engineer position at Zscaler allows for a hybrid work environment, meaning you’ll be expected to work from the San Jose office three days a week. This model promotes collaboration and interaction with teammates while also offering flexibility. It’s designed to create a balance that allows for both in-person teamwork and focused remote work.

A Principal Software Engineer at Zscaler should be well-versed in networking technologies and familiar with protocols such as HTTP/S, UDP, TLS, and PKI. Experience with end-point network side technologies like VPNs is a plus. Knowledge in cloud security and strong coding skills in C or C++ are also key for this role.

Zscaler is an award-winning company recognized for its inclusive and innovative culture. Working at Zscaler gives you the opportunity to be part of a mission-driven organization that values diversity and promotes growth. With exciting projects, a team of leading experts, and a commitment to continuous learning, you’ll find a supportive environment that encourages creativity and collaborative problem-solving.

Highlight specific projects where you've utilized C/C++, explaining the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Discuss performance optimization techniques you've implemented and how they benefited the final application.

Discuss your go-to design patterns (like Singleton, Factory, or Observer), providing examples of how you've implemented them in past projects. Explain the rationale behind your preferences and how they've improved code maintainability.

Explain your approach to security, including the use of encryption, secure coding practices, and regular security assessments. Share examples of how you addressed security vulnerabilities in previous projects.

Talk about the CI/CD tools and processes you've implemented, emphasizing how they improved deployment speed and software quality. Provide examples of how you have set up automated testing and deployment pipelines.

Discuss your communication strategies, tools you use to facilitate collaboration (like Slack or JIRA), and how you foster an inclusive environment despite varying work locations.

Share specific instances where you've managed tight timelines. Highlight your organizational skills, ability to prioritize tasks effectively, and any techniques you use to remain calm under pressure.

Describe a challenging issue you encountered, the steps you took to address it, and the positive outcome that resulted. Focus on your problem-solving process and collaboration with team members.

Discuss factors such as load balancing, redundancy, and how you ensure high availability. Provide examples from your experience where you designed systems that adapted well to increased load.

Explain the importance of code reviews in maintaining code quality, and how you provide constructive feedback. Mention how you handle disagreements in coding practices or approach.

Discuss specific aspects of Zscaler's mission, culture, and projects that resonate with you. Share how the company aligns with your values and career goals, and express your enthusiasm for contributing to its success.